Researcher biography

Jochen’s research focuses on monitoring of trace organic pollutants, including pioneering work on sources, fate, monitoring techniques (including development of passive sampling techniques) and trends in human exposure to trace contaminants. More recently his group has been leading research in the field of wastewater epidemiology.

Jochen joined QAEHS in 1997 and was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship in 2012 to understand changes in chemical exposure through integrative sampling and systematic archiving. As part of his research program at QAEHS he has lead numerous national and international studies, such as Australia's National Dioxin Program, the Brominated Flame Retardant Program and a major study to investigate bush-fire emissions (the results of which are included in the UNEP Toolkit). He works closely with governments (state, federal and international including UNEP) on the development of systematic monitoring strategies, including for protection of the Great Barrier Reef. As part of his Future Fellowship, he has established an extensive sample archive, the Australian Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB), to allow retrospective analysis of changes in pollutant exposure in Australia.

Jochen’s work on passive samplers, bioanalytical techniques for emerging chemicals and wastewater epidemiology has received support from ARC and numerous industry partners.

Featured projects Duration
Investigating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug Consumption Measured by Wastewater-based Epidemiology
Reducing Glyphosate Exposure from High Use Practices
ARC Linkage Project
Wastewater Analysis for Drug Monitoring in Correctional Facilities
Queensland Corrective Services
Water Quality Micro-Pollutant Passive Sampler Monitoring Program
SeqWater
Facilitating Detection of New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater (PhD)
Evaluation of PFAS Release from Impacted Concrete and Asphalts
Arcadis US Inc
Assessing Effectiveness of PFAS Exposure Control in Individuals from Exposed Communities and Occupationally Exposed Cohorts
National Health and Medical Research Council
Environmental Fate, Distribution and Human Exposure to Neonicotinoids in Australia
Australian Research Council
Fingerprinting Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater
Exposure mapping - Combining wastewater analysis with human biomonitoring
ARC Discovery Project
Temporal Trend Analysis and Optimisation of Exposure Monitoring Designs
National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Wastewater Analysis for the Detection of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited Substances
Sport Integrity Australia
20192022
Novel Testing Strategies for Endocrine Disruptors in the Context of Developmental Neuro Toxicity
Identifying Baby Food Pouch Migrants and Evaluating their Potential Risk
Remediation of PFAS Contaminated Soil Using a Soil Washing Treatment Train
Australian Research Council
Sources and Fate of Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems Focusing on Persistence in Real Environments
Transforming our Understanding of the Chemical Exposome
ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship
Firefighter Exposure Risks and Subsequent Reproduction Effects
Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW)
20162023
Understanding Australia by Analysing Wastewater During the Census 2021
ARC Linkage Project
Improving Estimation of Tobacco Use by Wastewater-based Epidemiology
Australian Research Council
Developing Protocols to Measure Plastic Chemicals in Human Brain, Blood and Urine
Minderoo Foundation
Development and Application of Passive Sampling Technologies for Per and Poly-Fluorinated Substances
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
Identification of Chemical and Biological Determinants, and their Sources, and Strategies to Promote Healthier Homes in Europe
National Health and Medical Research Council
Innovative Sampling Strategies for Improved Wastewater-based Epidemiology
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Exposure to Plastic Additives and their Association with Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
Understanding Human Exposure to Benzotriazoles and Benzotriazole UV-Stabilizers in the Australian Population Using Human Biomonitoring and Wastewater Analysis
ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship
Chemical Contamination in Humans and Links to Neurodegenerative Diseases
The University of Queensland
2023
Development of Passive Sampling Methodologies for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
Fate and Transport of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Soil Environment
Australian Research Council
Understanding Food Insecurity and Dietary Habits: A Comprehensive Analysis
Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) Contamination Including PFAS Sampling and Analysis
Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
Assessing Effectiveness of PFAS Exposure Control in Exposed Communities and Firefighters
National Health and Medical Research Council
Pesticide Analysis for the Inshore Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority